Willie Mae Veazie Stephens, affectionately known as "Mother" triumphantly finished her earthly course on August 5, 2023. Willie was born on May 15, 1929, to parents Paul and Lillian Leday Veazie in Opelousas, LA. Willie grew up as a special and gifted child, obedient to parents who gave her a strong foundation, a sharecropper father who taught her the ways of business, and a praying mother who taught her how to pray and tend to the ways of the household. Willie graduated high school in St. Landry Parish, obtaining several college credits from Louisiana State University (LSU) and Baton Rouge Community College after she and her husband, Martin M. Stephens, raised their children. Mother leaves priceless memories with their nine children whom she dedicated to God while still in her womb.
Willie was a true inspiration and role model to her family and was a great advocate for her children's college education and careers. As much as she loved her family and valued education, she loved God even more and demonstrated this love throughout her life! Willie had a walk with God at an early age. She grew up in the Baptist church with her parents, where she obtained a foundation for the love of God she held so dear. Later in life, as an adult, she deepened her walk with God through baptism in Jesus’ name and the infilling of the gift of the Holy Ghost. Her faith in God grew exponentially. She possessed a passion for the things of God that exceeded expectations. Willie continued her spiritual journey making an indelible impact in many churches, including those in service as a faithful member: Foster Drive UPC, Calvary Tabernacle UPC, Abundant Life Church, Apostolic Firehouse, and The Potter’s House of North Dallas.
Life often presents valleys of challenges, worry, despair, illness, and tragedy, but Willie heard God speaking to her through them all. She used her experiences to encourage others that at all times, we must walk with God to build a bridge to that heavenly mansion not made with mortal hands where now she will eternally reside. Willie knew that the all-knowing God can be trusted for anything, and emphasized that we must look for a brighter day. Even when our courage has been wrung dry, we should still trust and worship God. Willie practiced what she preached, worshipping and praising God until her last hours. She believed worship to be a weapon and a burden destroyer and was a sincere advocate of the Word of God, faithfully proclaiming that Jesus is a God of miracles.
Willie was an excellent baker; her coconut cakes and teacakes were renowned, as were her popcorn balls. Willie was a talented writer/author of five books, poet and gospel songwriter, fashion designer/seamstress, and Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) retiree. She held numerous jobs with institutions and agencies such as the LSU Cooperative Extension where she taught nutrition and budgeting, the Head Start Program, Juvenile Detention Center, several hospitals, and home health agencies, and was a volunteer for Community Action. She published the following books: A Rock in a Weary Land; Exiting the Weary Land; There: A Place in God’s Will; The Right Mind; and Proverbials of Experience, Wisdom, and Knowledge. She also authored hundreds of poems, prose, and songs. Willie loved to travel with her children. During her extensive domestic and international travels, Willie met sports and entertainment celebrities and obtained a part as an extra in the movie, The Toy, and dined with actors and actresses. Willie always gave honor and glory to God for all her accomplishments and the many blessings He bestowed upon her!
To cherish her memories, Mother leaves a sister-in-law, Catherine Veazie of Grand Coteau, LA; children, David (Sandra) Stephens of Plano, TX, Sherald Davis of Plano, TX, Shedrick (Rita) Stephens of Baton Rouge, LA, Martin (Cleo) Stephens of Melissa, TX, Deborah (Ricky) Cleary of Pearland, TX, Paul (Juanita) Stephens of Pflugerville, TX, Florestine (Dwayne) Shaw of Round Rock, TX, Levi Stephens of Geneva, Switzerland, and Neosha (Fred) Brent of Beaumont, TX; twenty-five grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and many loving relatives, friends, and acquaintances. Her signature farewell of "Love and Prayers, Mother" is already missed.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Martin Stephens; parents, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Veazie; two sisters, Evelina Thomas and Rosella Johnson; two brothers, Roulton Veazie and Chester Veazie; one son-in-law, Roger Davis; and grandsons, Daniel Stephens and Brandon Stillwell.
Willie will be remembered during a Visitation/Reflections service from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, August 11, 2023, and honored in a Celebration of Life Service at 11:00 a.m. (Viewing @ 10:30 a.m.) on August 12, 2023, at The Potter’s House of North Dallas. The service will be livestreamed at: live.tphnd.org.
Willie supported the World Network of Prayer (UPCI) and will continue to make a great legacy impact in advancing the quality of life and education through the “Hope Counseling Center” at The Potter's House of North Dallas (TPHND), being built in her honor and will feature and utilize her life-changing book, “The Right Mind” to help those who seek counseling services. In addition, the Willie Mae Stephens Memorial Scholarship Fund has been established through two distinct charities, the Alpha Epsilon Education Foundation and The Potter’s House of North Dallas, to provide annual scholarships for underprivileged minority young men and underprivileged young girls, respectively.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alpha Epsilon Education Foundation, P.O. Box 703518, Dallas, TX 75370-3518, or at the dallasboulefoundation.org. Donations also may be made to The Potter’s House of North Dallas, 10501 Main Street, Frisco, TX 75035, or at TPHND.org.